Hong Kong Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Hong Kong Stadium
nickname = Po Tou (埔頭)


location = So Kon Po, Wanchai, Hong Kong
broke_ground =
opened = 1953
renovated = 1994
closed =
demolished =
owner = Leisure and Cultural Services Department
operator = Leisure and Cultural Services Department
surface = Grass
construction_cost =
architect =
former_names = Government Stadium
tenants = Hong Kong Football Association
seating_capacity = 40,000
dimensions = 130m X 74m

of 40,000, including 18,240 at the main level, 3,153 executive seats, 18,559 upper level seats and 48 seats for wheelchair users.

The stadium is located in So Kon Po, Hong Kong Island, a valley near Causeway Bay. Most international football matches held in Hong Kong are held at this stadium. It is also the location for the Hong Kong Sevens rugby sevens tournament.

Hong Kong Stadium also hosted the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in 1997 and 2005.

History

So Kon Po was formerly the burial ground for the 1918 fire at Happy Valley Racecourse. Then the Hong Kong Government moved all the tombs to Aberdeen. The old Governmenr Stadium was constructed by 1953 and had a capacity of 25,000. It witnessed the best times of Hong Kong football in the 60s and 70s. At the time, the stadium will be packed full of spectators when a top of the league clash happens and a red flag would be hoisted. Eager spectators without tickets would climb up to the hill behind the stadium to see the game.

The old Government Stadium was only partially covered, without sufficient seats or lighting systems. In the 90s, the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club proposed a reconstruction plan so that Hong Kong can have a world class sports stadium.

Even before the reconstruction, the Governmenr Stadium was Hong Kong's most important sports venue, with a sand running track around the football field. As the focus on the design was for football only, the track went to 450m, 50m longer than standard. Numerous schools held their athletic meetings here. But after reconstruction, due to the land size, no running track was built. Forcing the schools to look for alternate venues. The grass turf at the Hong Kong Stadium has also been much critized, even nicknamed "potato field" by Hong Kong's footballers.

The government had hoped that the stadium could be used as a music concert venue in order to bring in more rental income. But due to the noise levels, the nearby citizens complained endlessly. The government then had to regulate the noise levels which rendered the stadium unsuitable for concerts. That reduced greatly the income levels of the stadium and the management company, Wembley, ran into financial troubles. In the end, Wembley handed back the management rights and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department took over.

Alan Tam held a concert at the Hong Kong Stadium from 22 April to 24 April 1994. It was the only solo concert held here.

The only time the venue is used for live events is the Extravaganza of China Olympic Gold Medallists celebration show for the Chinese gold medallists. [http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200808/20/P200808200266.htm]

Facilities

Hong Kong Stadium can accommodate 40,000. The spread is as below:
* 18240 at main level
* 18559 at high level
* 3153 suite level
* 48 wheelchair

In addition, there are many refreshment kiosks inside the stadium, including McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken...etc.

Other use

The stadium was supposed to be a multi purpose entertainment and sports venue, due to its much greater capacity compared to the other popular and over used Hong Kong Coliseum, where nearly all uses are now strictly for popular entertainment. However, its open-air nature has led to noise complaints from residents in tower blocks surrounding the stadium. It has not been allowed to host entertainment events since 1999. A new multi-purpose stadium at South Eastern Kowloon is currently in the planning stage, when it is completed, the Hong Kong Stadium will be demolished to make way for housing developments.

Gallery

Future

The Hong Kong Stadium is set to be demolished for luxurious housing development after the construction of the new 45,000 seat Kai Tak Multi-Purpose Stadium is completed. [ [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=9134&sid=6114773&con_type=1&d_str=20060104&fc=4 The Standard - Hong Kong's First FREE English Newspaper ] ]

References

ee also

*Hong Kong First Division League
*National stadium

External links

* [http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/stadium/hks/en/index.php Official homepage]
* [http://www.12hk.com/area/CausewayBay/HongKongStadium.html Pictures]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Hong+Kong&ll=22.272934,114.188569&spn=0.004744,0.007237&t=k&hl=en Satellite view of the site]